Memoir (Personal Narrative) Unit:
Colorado Content Writing Standard #1: Write with a literary intent.

Learning Essentials:
  1. Students will write and compile a variety of pieces reflecting on at least three of the following: a signifcant place, event, object or person in their lives.
  2. Students will show evidence of the writing process through planning, drafting, revising and editing a final copy.
  3. Students will write and revise so that each personal narrative includes sufficient descriptive detail.
  4. Students will complete a personal narrative of an event that includes a well-developed plot.

Rubric used to assess students' progress:





Memoir Introduction and Overview:
  • Complete the What is a Memoir? webquest.
  • Read more memoirs, written by teen writers
  • Read pages 3-5 in Ralph Fletcher's Marshfield Dreams. Use his ideas to inspire your memoir writing with a QuickWrite in your journal.
  • Create your own Memoir Map of the places most of your memories are made.
  • Visit Ralph Fletcher's website for more writing ideas.
  • Create a timeline of the important events in your life. You can use a folded piece of paper, or click on this link to access an online version: Timeline


Guiding Questions:
  • What objects, places, people, and events have shaped your life?
  • What memories are vivid and significant for you?
  • How might you organize and describe these memories so others can enjoy?


Click on the assignment links to access our activities for each memoir piece.
Memoir of an Important Place
Memoir of an Important EventMemoir of an Important ObjectMemoir of an Important Person